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Madrid Open: Fils ready for Sinner clash ahead of Roland Garros  Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ​ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey ​Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but ​the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.READ | Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.Published on Apr 30, 2026  #Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros

Madrid Open: Fils ready for Sinner clash ahead of Roland Garros

Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ​ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.

A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.

Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey ​Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.

Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but ​the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.

READ | Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal

“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.

“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.

“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”

While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.

“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros

Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ​ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.

A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.

Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey ​Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.

Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but ​the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.

READ | Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal

“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.

“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.

“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”

While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.

“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

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Deadspin | NBA roundup: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28843617.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28843617.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Houston Rockets at Los Angeles Lakers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Pistons 116, Magic 109</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as top-seeded Detroit stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Orlando. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins

Deadspin | Rockets avoid elimination again, force Game 6 vs. Lakers  Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.  Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists, while Amen Thompson added 15 points as the Rockets now trail 3-2 in the series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.  The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.  Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points with 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series Friday at Houston.  The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring), who was injured along with Reaves in an April 2 game at Oklahoma City. Both players missed the last five regular-season games and the first four playoff games.  The Lakers appeared determined to close out the series by taking an 11-point lead with a minute remaining in the first quarter and leading 28-21 after the opening period.  The Rockets stormed back for a 30-19 advantage in the second quarter and led 51-47 at halftime. Houston shot 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the second quarter and forced five turnovers.   The Rockets extended their advantage to 76-67 through three quarters.  Los Angeles used an 11-1 run to pull within 88-85 on a James layup with 2:59 left in the game.  A steal and two baskets from Reed Sheppard pushed the Rockets’ advantage back to 92-85 with 2:20 left and Houston turned four consecutive free throws into a 96-87 advantage with 1:32 remaining.  James and Reaves combined to miss three 3-point attempts over the final 28 seconds with James unable to pull the Lakers within two points when he was off target from long range with 12 seconds left.  After he averaged 25.0 points over the first two games of the series, Lakers sharpshooter Luke Kennard was held to one point on 0-of-4 shooting.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rockets #avoid #elimination #force #Game #LakersApr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.

Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists, while Amen Thompson added 15 points as the Rockets now trail 3-2 in the series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points with 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series Friday at Houston.

The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring), who was injured along with Reaves in an April 2 game at Oklahoma City. Both players missed the last five regular-season games and the first four playoff games.

The Lakers appeared determined to close out the series by taking an 11-point lead with a minute remaining in the first quarter and leading 28-21 after the opening period.


The Rockets stormed back for a 30-19 advantage in the second quarter and led 51-47 at halftime. Houston shot 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the second quarter and forced five turnovers.

The Rockets extended their advantage to 76-67 through three quarters.

Los Angeles used an 11-1 run to pull within 88-85 on a James layup with 2:59 left in the game.

A steal and two baskets from Reed Sheppard pushed the Rockets’ advantage back to 92-85 with 2:20 left and Houston turned four consecutive free throws into a 96-87 advantage with 1:32 remaining.

James and Reaves combined to miss three 3-point attempts over the final 28 seconds with James unable to pull the Lakers within two points when he was off target from long range with 12 seconds left.

After he averaged 25.0 points over the first two games of the series, Lakers sharpshooter Luke Kennard was held to one point on 0-of-4 shooting.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rockets #avoid #elimination #force #Game #Lakers">Deadspin | Rockets avoid elimination again, force Game 6 vs. Lakers  Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) moves to the basket against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) during the first half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday.  Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists, while Amen Thompson added 15 points as the Rockets now trail 3-2 in the series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.  The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.  Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points with 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series Friday at Houston.  The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring), who was injured along with Reaves in an April 2 game at Oklahoma City. Both players missed the last five regular-season games and the first four playoff games.  The Lakers appeared determined to close out the series by taking an 11-point lead with a minute remaining in the first quarter and leading 28-21 after the opening period.  The Rockets stormed back for a 30-19 advantage in the second quarter and led 51-47 at halftime. Houston shot 6 of 12 from 3-point range in the second quarter and forced five turnovers.   The Rockets extended their advantage to 76-67 through three quarters.  Los Angeles used an 11-1 run to pull within 88-85 on a James layup with 2:59 left in the game.  A steal and two baskets from Reed Sheppard pushed the Rockets’ advantage back to 92-85 with 2:20 left and Houston turned four consecutive free throws into a 96-87 advantage with 1:32 remaining.  James and Reaves combined to miss three 3-point attempts over the final 28 seconds with James unable to pull the Lakers within two points when he was off target from long range with 12 seconds left.  After he averaged 25.0 points over the first two games of the series, Lakers sharpshooter Luke Kennard was held to one point on 0-of-4 shooting.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Rockets #avoid #elimination #force #Game #Lakers

Kenyan marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, complete with a water cannon salute for the aircraft he was aboard.

Sawe, the first person to break the fabled two-hour barrier in the marathon, was welcomed back to his country by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who hailed the runner’s accomplishment at the London Marathon as “a win for Kenya.”

Sawe pulled off the feat, which was long considered unthinkable, on Sunday when he won in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. He bettered the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.

Before disembarking upon arrival on Wednesday at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sawe told The Associated Press he was proud to have “made a great achievement in life” and was planning to “try and lower the record further.”

Sabastian Sawe receives hero’s welcome in Kenya after World Record sub 2-hour London Marathon  Kenyan marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, complete with a water cannon salute for the aircraft he was aboard.Sawe, the first person to break the fabled two-hour barrier in the marathon, was welcomed back to his country by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who hailed the runner’s accomplishment at the London Marathon as “a win for Kenya.”Sawe pulled off the feat, which was long considered unthinkable, on Sunday when he won in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. He bettered the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.Before disembarking upon arrival on Wednesday at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sawe told        The Associated Press he was proud to have “made a great achievement in life” and was planning to “try and lower the record further.” A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                            

                            A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                                                    He was adorned with a traditional wreath made from twigs to symbolise victory.READ | Lowering the marathon mark: Researcher says sub 2-hour record could be reduced by 5 minutesTraditional dancers sang his praises as he then climbed into a luxury government vehicle as part of the “heroic welcome” hailed by the sports minister, who said Sawe would be feted on Thursday.His parents told        The AP they knew their son was destined for greatness even as a child, and his mother recounted how he sprinted during bath time.“He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day,” Emily Sawe said.His father recounted watching Sunday’s marathon at his brother’s house because his television lacked a clear signal.“The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,” Simion Kiplagat Sawe said.Sabastian Sawe was introduced to professional running by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who ran the 800 meters for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Sawe won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, clocking 2:02:05. He went into Sunday’s race in London as the defending champion.His father says Sawe is disciplined and determined: “Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further.”Published on Apr 30, 2026  #Sabastian #Sawe #receives #heros #Kenya #World #Record #2hour #London #Marathon

A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

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A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

He was adorned with a traditional wreath made from twigs to symbolise victory.

READ | Lowering the marathon mark: Researcher says sub 2-hour record could be reduced by 5 minutes

Traditional dancers sang his praises as he then climbed into a luxury government vehicle as part of the “heroic welcome” hailed by the sports minister, who said Sawe would be feted on Thursday.

His parents told The AP they knew their son was destined for greatness even as a child, and his mother recounted how he sprinted during bath time.

“He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day,” Emily Sawe said.

His father recounted watching Sunday’s marathon at his brother’s house because his television lacked a clear signal.

“The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,” Simion Kiplagat Sawe said.

Sabastian Sawe was introduced to professional running by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who ran the 800 meters for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Sawe won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, clocking 2:02:05. He went into Sunday’s race in London as the defending champion.

His father says Sawe is disciplined and determined: “Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Sabastian #Sawe #receives #heros #Kenya #World #Record #2hour #London #Marathon">Sabastian Sawe receives hero’s welcome in Kenya after World Record sub 2-hour London Marathon  Kenyan marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, complete with a water cannon salute for the aircraft he was aboard.Sawe, the first person to break the fabled two-hour barrier in the marathon, was welcomed back to his country by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who hailed the runner’s accomplishment at the London Marathon as “a win for Kenya.”Sawe pulled off the feat, which was long considered unthinkable, on Sunday when he won in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. He bettered the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.Before disembarking upon arrival on Wednesday at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sawe told        The Associated Press he was proud to have “made a great achievement in life” and was planning to “try and lower the record further.” A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                            

                            A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                                                    He was adorned with a traditional wreath made from twigs to symbolise victory.READ | Lowering the marathon mark: Researcher says sub 2-hour record could be reduced by 5 minutesTraditional dancers sang his praises as he then climbed into a luxury government vehicle as part of the “heroic welcome” hailed by the sports minister, who said Sawe would be feted on Thursday.His parents told        The AP they knew their son was destined for greatness even as a child, and his mother recounted how he sprinted during bath time.“He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day,” Emily Sawe said.His father recounted watching Sunday’s marathon at his brother’s house because his television lacked a clear signal.“The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,” Simion Kiplagat Sawe said.Sabastian Sawe was introduced to professional running by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who ran the 800 meters for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Sawe won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, clocking 2:02:05. He went into Sunday’s race in London as the defending champion.His father says Sawe is disciplined and determined: “Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further.”Published on Apr 30, 2026  #Sabastian #Sawe #receives #heros #Kenya #World #Record #2hour #London #Marathon

Lowering the marathon mark: Researcher says sub 2-hour record could be reduced by 5 minutes

Traditional dancers sang his praises as he then climbed into a luxury government vehicle as part of the “heroic welcome” hailed by the sports minister, who said Sawe would be feted on Thursday.

His parents told The AP they knew their son was destined for greatness even as a child, and his mother recounted how he sprinted during bath time.

“He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day,” Emily Sawe said.

His father recounted watching Sunday’s marathon at his brother’s house because his television lacked a clear signal.

“The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,” Simion Kiplagat Sawe said.

Sabastian Sawe was introduced to professional running by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who ran the 800 meters for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Sawe won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, clocking 2:02:05. He went into Sunday’s race in London as the defending champion.

His father says Sawe is disciplined and determined: “Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Sabastian #Sawe #receives #heros #Kenya #World #Record #2hour #London #Marathon">Sabastian Sawe receives hero’s welcome in Kenya after World Record sub 2-hour London Marathon

Kenyan marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, complete with a water cannon salute for the aircraft he was aboard.

Sawe, the first person to break the fabled two-hour barrier in the marathon, was welcomed back to his country by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who hailed the runner’s accomplishment at the London Marathon as “a win for Kenya.”

Sawe pulled off the feat, which was long considered unthinkable, on Sunday when he won in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. He bettered the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.

Before disembarking upon arrival on Wednesday at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sawe told The Associated Press he was proud to have “made a great achievement in life” and was planning to “try and lower the record further.”

Sabastian Sawe receives hero’s welcome in Kenya after World Record sub 2-hour London Marathon  Kenyan marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a hero’s welcome on Wednesday, complete with a water cannon salute for the aircraft he was aboard.Sawe, the first person to break the fabled two-hour barrier in the marathon, was welcomed back to his country by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who hailed the runner’s accomplishment at the London Marathon as “a win for Kenya.”Sawe pulled off the feat, which was long considered unthinkable, on Sunday when he won in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. He bettered the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.Before disembarking upon arrival on Wednesday at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sawe told        The Associated Press he was proud to have “made a great achievement in life” and was planning to “try and lower the record further.” A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                            

                            A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                                                    He was adorned with a traditional wreath made from twigs to symbolise victory.READ | Lowering the marathon mark: Researcher says sub 2-hour record could be reduced by 5 minutesTraditional dancers sang his praises as he then climbed into a luxury government vehicle as part of the “heroic welcome” hailed by the sports minister, who said Sawe would be feted on Thursday.His parents told        The AP they knew their son was destined for greatness even as a child, and his mother recounted how he sprinted during bath time.“He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day,” Emily Sawe said.His father recounted watching Sunday’s marathon at his brother’s house because his television lacked a clear signal.“The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,” Simion Kiplagat Sawe said.Sabastian Sawe was introduced to professional running by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who ran the 800 meters for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.Sawe won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, clocking 2:02:05. He went into Sunday’s race in London as the defending champion.His father says Sawe is disciplined and determined: “Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further.”Published on Apr 30, 2026  #Sabastian #Sawe #receives #heros #Kenya #World #Record #2hour #London #Marathon

A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

lightbox-info

A Kenya Airways plane receives a water cannon salute as it arrives with Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

He was adorned with a traditional wreath made from twigs to symbolise victory.

READ | Lowering the marathon mark: Researcher says sub 2-hour record could be reduced by 5 minutes

Traditional dancers sang his praises as he then climbed into a luxury government vehicle as part of the “heroic welcome” hailed by the sports minister, who said Sawe would be feted on Thursday.

His parents told The AP they knew their son was destined for greatness even as a child, and his mother recounted how he sprinted during bath time.

“He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day,” Emily Sawe said.

His father recounted watching Sunday’s marathon at his brother’s house because his television lacked a clear signal.

“The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,” Simion Kiplagat Sawe said.

Sabastian Sawe was introduced to professional running by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who ran the 800 meters for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Sawe won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, clocking 2:02:05. He went into Sunday’s race in London as the defending champion.

His father says Sawe is disciplined and determined: “Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

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