Sports

Doug Miller (right) and Dean Robert battle it out in the men’s 5000 metres during BC 55-Plus Games action on Wednesday (Aug. 23). (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)

Abbotsford 55-Plus BC Games officially open

Competitions run from Wednesday to Saturday at venues all over Abbotsford

Doug Miller (right) and Dean Robert battle it out in the men’s 5000 metres during BC 55-Plus Games action on Wednesday (Aug. 23). (Ben Lypka/Abbotsford News)
Darts competitors line up. (BC 55-Plus Games photo team)

PHOTOS: Competition begins at the Abbotsford 55-Plus BC Games

Athletes battling it out in a variety of sports at venues all across Abbotsford

Darts competitors line up. (BC 55-Plus Games photo team)
FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) reacts after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series on April 24, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. The Maple Leafs signed star center Matthews to a four-year deal, $53 million contract extension on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)

Maple Leafs make Auston Matthews the NHL’s highest-paid player

Star centre will make an average of $13.25 million on a 4-year, $53 million extension

FILE - Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) reacts after scoring against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series on April 24, 2023, in Tampa, Fla. The Maple Leafs signed star center Matthews to a four-year deal, $53 million contract extension on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara, File)
Brooke Henderson of Canada hits from the 14th hole during the Evian Championship women’s golf tournament in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Brooke Henderson headlines a stacked field of golfers at this week’s CPKC Women’s Open. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Lewis Joly

Henderson eager to play in CPKC Women’s Open at Shaughnessy in Vancouver

Brooke Henderson headlines a stacked field of golfers at this week’s CPKC…

Brooke Henderson of Canada hits from the 14th hole during the Evian Championship women’s golf tournament in Evian, eastern France, Sunday, July 30, 2023. Brooke Henderson headlines a stacked field of golfers at this week’s CPKC Women’s Open. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Lewis Joly
Participants of the Intro to Cricket event gather on Aug. 6, during the 2023 Terrace Riverboat Days festival, taking part in a community effort to learn and promote the basics of cricket in the region. (Contributed photo)

Terrace celebrates cricket with inaugural event at 2023 Riverboat Days festival

The Intro to Cricket event drew much interest, highlighted efforts to build a local cricket pitch

Participants of the Intro to Cricket event gather on Aug. 6, during the 2023 Terrace Riverboat Days festival, taking part in a community effort to learn and promote the basics of cricket in the region. (Contributed photo)
Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stands with Spain’s Women’s World Cup soccer team after their World Cup victory, at La Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Spain beat England in Sydney Sunday to win the Women’s World Cup soccer final. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Spanish leader greets World champs, criticizes soccer head for kissing player

Forced kiss caused an immediate outcry both inside Spain and abroad

Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez stands with Spain’s Women’s World Cup soccer team after their World Cup victory, at La Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain, Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2023. Spain beat England in Sydney Sunday to win the Women’s World Cup soccer final. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. passed for 455 yards but in the end it wasn’t enough as Saskatchewan beat B.C. 34-29 in CFL action on Sunday night. photo courtesy Steve Chang, B.C. Lions

THE MOJ: Tough start, negative plays pave way for disappointing Lions loss

5 turnovers, 5 sacks and 11 penalties add up to a 34-29 loss in Saskatchewan

Lions quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. passed for 455 yards but in the end it wasn’t enough as Saskatchewan beat B.C. 34-29 in CFL action on Sunday night. photo courtesy Steve Chang, B.C. Lions
Lionel Messi joined Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in July and the results have been near-instant. Messi kicks the ball across the field during the second half of the Leagues Cup championship soccer match against Nashville SC, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV.

Canadian clubs talk ‘Messi effect’ as superstar grabs headlines

‘I think all the stories around Messi are a door opener for us’

Lionel Messi joined Major League Soccer club Inter Miami in July and the results have been near-instant. Messi kicks the ball across the field during the second half of the Leagues Cup championship soccer match against Nashville SC, Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-George Walker IV.
Ethan Katzberg, of Canada, makes an attempt in the Men’s hammer throw final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bernat Armangue

B.C.’s Ethan Katzberg wins gold in hammer throw at world championships

Nanaimo athlete the first Canadian man to reach podium in hammer at worlds

Ethan Katzberg, of Canada, makes an attempt in the Men’s hammer throw final during the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Bernat Armangue
Saskatchewan Roughriders punt returner Mario Alford (2) runs the football against BC Lions during the first half of CFL football action in Regina, on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Roughriders hang on to beat resilient B.C. Lions 34-29 in wild finish

Saskatchewan moves to 5-5 on CFL season, Lions fall to 7-3

Saskatchewan Roughriders punt returner Mario Alford (2) runs the football against BC Lions during the first half of CFL football action in Regina, on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu
Spain’s Olga Carmona celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the final of Women’s World Cup soccer between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Spain clinches Women’s World Cup title with 1-0 win over England

Olga Carmona’s first-half goal holds up for La Roja

Spain’s Olga Carmona celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the final of Women’s World Cup soccer between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)
<div>Halfway through the season and the B.C. Lions receiving corps are hitting their stride. B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher, left, and Justin McInnis celebrate hatcher’s touchdown against the Calgary Stampeders during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, August 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>

Lions receivers ensuring offensive hot streak continues despite battling injuries

Keon Hatcher recorded a career high in receiving yards against the Calgary Stampeders last Saturday

<div>Halfway through the season and the B.C. Lions receiving corps are hitting their stride. B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher, left, and Justin McInnis celebrate hatcher’s touchdown against the Calgary Stampeders during the first half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Saturday, August 12, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck</div>
The Vancouver Whitecaps say goalkeeper Thomas Hasal has been placed on Major League Soccer’s season-ending injury list. Hasal is seen in action during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City, in St. Louis, Saturday, May 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Roberson

Vancouver Whitecaps place back-up goalie on season-ending injury list

Thomas Hasal, 24, came up through the Saskatchewan branch of the Whitecaps academy

The Vancouver Whitecaps say goalkeeper Thomas Hasal has been placed on Major League Soccer’s season-ending injury list. Hasal is seen in action during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City, in St. Louis, Saturday, May 27, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Jeff Roberson
Team BC won silver after finishing the Baseball Canada Cup with a record of 4-3. (Baseball Canada/Special to The News)

Team BC athletes win silver at Baseball Canada Cup

The U17 squad lost to Team Ontario 11-8 in final match of Saskatchewan tournament

Team BC won silver after finishing the Baseball Canada Cup with a record of 4-3. (Baseball Canada/Special to The News)
Tre Ford threw for two touchdown passes in leading Edmonton to a 24-10 win over the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton on Thursday. CFL photo

THE MOJ: Elks finally win one, and other late summer football ponderings

Pondering that enduring Canadian question of Regina or Winnipeg?

Tre Ford threw for two touchdown passes in leading Edmonton to a 24-10 win over the Tiger-Cats in Hamilton on Thursday. CFL photo

Changes to rules, prize structure in store for Kitimat Fishing Derby

Annual coho competition merges men’s and women’s divisions

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) tackles Indianapolis Colts running back Evan Hull (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)

Bills’ Damar Hamlin has little more to prove in completing comeback: coach

Sean McDermott says safety has showed no signs of hesitation in his recovery from near-death

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin (3) tackles Indianapolis Colts running back Evan Hull (26) during the first half of an NFL preseason football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Myrtle Acton of Sooke set new world records for women 90-94 in the shot put and hammer throw at the Canadian Masters Track and Field Championships in Langley on Friday, Aug. 11. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)

Masters athletes compete in national track and field championships in Langley

Athletes from their 30s to their 90s participated

Myrtle Acton of Sooke set new world records for women 90-94 in the shot put and hammer throw at the Canadian Masters Track and Field Championships in Langley on Friday, Aug. 11. (Matthew Claxton/Langley Advance Times)
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray gestures during the second half of Game 5 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Denver. Murray will not suit up for Canada in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, Canada Basketball announced on Wednesday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jack Dempsey

Canadian basketball star Jamal Murray will sit out FIBA World Cup

Murray, Nuggets decide he needs more time to recover from long and demanding season

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray gestures during the second half of Game 5 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Denver. Murray will not suit up for Canada in the upcoming FIBA World Cup, Canada Basketball announced on Wednesday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Jack Dempsey
Australia’s Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring her side’s first goal during the Women’s World Cup semifinal soccer match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

England beats Australia to move into Women’s World Cup final against Spain

England’s 3-1 win ends an exhilirating ride for the home side

Australia’s Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring her side’s first goal during the Women’s World Cup semifinal soccer match between Australia and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)