Kevin Mayer sets decathlon record, Simon Yates wins La Vuelta, and more weekend highlights
Second track and field record of the day starts our round-up of things you might have missed
Sunday proved to be a sporting bonanza at the end of an epic weekend.
With that in mind, you are forgiven for not keeping abreast of every single result.
Here we take a look at some of the highlights including Olympic heroes in action, a new grand tour champion, and not one but two big world record performances.
Decathlon record broken
Fans in Talence were given a treat by local boy Kevin Mayer, who set a new World Record in the decathlon.
France's world indoor champion finished the 10 events with a total of 9126 points.
Mayer's haul was made up of:
- 10.55 in the 100m,
- 7.80m in the long jump,
- 16.00m in the shot put,
- 2.05m in the high jump
- 48.42 in the 400m (to finish the first day with 4563 points).
- 13.75 in the 110m hurdles,
- 50.54m in the discus,
- 5.45m in the pole vault,
- 71.90m in the javelin
- 4:36.11 in the 1500m (total 9126 points).
That was 81 points more than the previous record, set by Ashton Eaton of the USA during the World Championships in 2015.
Two-time Olympic champion Eaton was quick to offer congratulations to the 26-year old, saying on social media that the record performance was "an incredible display of ability!"
Kipchoge sets new marathon mark
Mayer's achievement came just hours after Olympic gold medallist Eluid Kipchoge set a new marathon world record in Berlin, as predicted by Bernard Lagat to the Olympic Channel.
The Kenyan legend, who has won nine of his 10 career marathons, secured victory in a time of 2 hours, 1 minute and 39 seconds.
That means 33-year-old Kipchoge shaved over a minute off the previous record, set by compatriot Dennis Kimmento in 2014, also in Berlin.
Fellow long-distance star Bernard Lagat had predicted in an exclusive Olympic Channel interview that Kipchoge would break the record in the race.
It was double joy for Kenya in Germany as Gladys Cherono defended her Berlin Marathon title in 2:18:11.
Vuelta victory for Yates
All he really needed to do was stay on his bike for the final stage into Madrid, and that's exactly what Simon Yates did.
The British cyclist secured overall victory at La Vuelta, his first success in a grand tour race.
Yates' Mitchelton-Scott team kept the 26-year-old out of trouble on stage 21, which was won by Elia Viviani.
British cycling dominance continues
Yates is the third different Briton to win a grand tour in 2018, following Chris Froome (Giro d'Italia), and Geraint Thomas (Tour de France).
The last five grand tour events have all been won by Brits.
German rowing eight's win streak continues
The fearsome German men’s eight crew put in a dominant display at the World Rowing Championships.
The world champions were heavy favourites going into the final in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, having not lost since the Rio 2016 final.
They were good value for the tag too, launching off from the start line and never relinquishing the lead.
Olympic champions Great Britain but in a valiant challenge but fell of the pace at the end, settling for third as Australia took the silver.
“We went really well until the 1500 meters, but after that we had some trouble with the rough water,” German captain Martin Sauer told World Rowing.
It’s been a tough year with some really tough races. Many eights have improved their crews this year.”
Canelo boxing’s new king
Canelo Alvarez beat Olympic silver medallist Gennady Golovkin in a thrilling Las Vegas rematch.
With the first bout ending in a draw, there was plenty of bad-blood in the build-up to part two – and the spectacle did not disappoint.
A sell-out T-Mobile Arena crowd, mostly supporting the Mexican, witnessed a brutal 12-round encounter that Canelo won on points.
The judges’ decision means Canelo is the new WBC and WBA middleweight champion, while Kazakhstani GGG now has one loss to his name.
In the immediate aftermath, both fighters refused to rule out a third match.
"If the people want another fight then we'll do it again," said Alvarez in the post-match ring interview. "We'll do it, no doubt."
Marin keeps on winning
Badminton Olympic champion Carolina Marin has won the prestigious Japan Open.
The Spaniard defeated home favourite Nozomi Okhara 21-19, 17-21, 21-11 in the final of the Super 750 event.
There was more to cheers about for home fans in the men’s draw where world champion Kento Momota beat Thailand’s Khosit Phetpradab 21-14, 21-11 in the final.
The tournament serves a good indicator of form ahead of the China open, which starts on 18 September.
The event in Changzhou is a Super 1000 tournament and one of the three Grand Slams of the season.
Japan make sevens statement
Japan’s men struck gold in the first round of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series.
The Brave Blossoms beat hosts Hong Kong 12-0 in the final, courtesy of a Jose Seru double.
It was sweet revenge for Japan, who lost to Hong Kong in the final of the recent Asian Games.
The victory is timely as excitement builds in the country ahead of hosting the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
A year later rugby sevens medals will be up for grabs at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Garnbret on the up
Slovenian sport climbing star Janja Garnbret stormed to the Bouldering gold medal at the IFSC World Championships.
After finishing second in the Lead last week in Innsbruck, the 19-year-old made sure of her victory this time round, winning by a comfortable margin.
The victory means that Garnbret has now won two world championship titles, after her Lead victory in 2016.
Kai Harada of Japan took the bouldering title in the men’s draw.
The 19-year-old was the only competitor to top all four problems in the six-man final, to win his first world title.
Japan lay down statement of intent
Japan’s Keiju Okada and Jumpei Hokazono won gold on home waters at sailing’s World Cup Series Enoshima.
The pair were victorious in the Men’s 470 class, which was the first major event to be hosted at the Tokyo 2020 sailing venue.
An eight-point lead heading into the final day was good enough to seal victory, as light winds meant the fleet was unable to sail.
"Winning the selection for the Japanese (Olympic) team is very tough but we'll do the best we can,” Okada and Hokazono told sailing.org.
“Winning here in Enoshima gives us an advantage and we are training here more than anyone else, so that's going to give us confidence for the future."
Mola seals triathlon world title
Spain’s Mario Mola won his third consecutive World Triathlon Series men’s title after finishing second in the final race of the season.
Frenchman Vincent Luis claimed top spot in Australia’s Gold Coast, beating Mola by 14 seconds.
"It's been a great season," Mola told reporters.
"(Gomez) set the path for all the others, particularly Spanish athletes. I could never imagine having three titles."
Vicky Holland sealed the women’s overall title in thrilling fashion, despite finishing second in Australia to local hero Ashleigh Gentle.
The Brit trailed American Katie Zaferes in the women's standings going into the final, but Holland's second-place finish was enough to send her into top spot.
