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Olympic Games
A late flurry saw Portugal hit their target of four medals at the Olympic Games in Paris. After an inauspicious start, Patricia Sampaio got the ball rolling on day six with a bronze medal in judo. But it was not until day 12 (of 14) that the Portuguese team saw further success. Lúri Leitão took an unexpected silver in the men’s Omnium cycling, whilst Pedro Pichardo also won silver but missed out on gold in the triple jump by just 2cm. But the best was still to come. On day 13, Lúri Leitão teamed up with Rui Oliveira to win the gold medal in the men’s Madison cycling. After the race, Oliveira said, “I don’t think I’m living this. I’ve never won a single race in my life.” The gold medal was the first for Portugal outside of athletics in the history of the games.
Algarve Football
Portimonense football club is in line to be taken over by Chinese billionaire Zhang Jindong. Last season, the Portimão-based club suffered an agonising last-gasp relegation from the Primeira Liga, but with significant funding will be hopeful of bouncing back at the first attempt. Zhang Jindong, who was the owner of Inter Milan between 2016 and 2024, has submitted an €80 million bid, which is due to be completed in early 2025.
The Algarve’s top football side Farense (Faro) have begun their season with a 2-1 loss at home to Moreirense. Despite playing the last 26 minutes against ten men, the Lions couldn’t force an equaliser and will feel they missed a great chance against one of last season’s surprise packages.
Motorcycling
Toprak Razgatlioglu took a stunning double victory at the World Superbike Championships in Portimão. After a comfortable win in Race 1, Razgatlioglu had to come from behind in Race 2 and took victory by a mere 0.035 seconds over Nicolo Bulega. The 2021 World Champion looks a certainty for this year’s title having set an astonishing record of twelve consecutive wins.
Kayaking
The Kayak Clube Castores do Arade in Estômbar has concluded a wonderful national championship with nineteen medals. Highlights included two golds and a bronze for Ianis Bebiano (200m, 500m and 1000m) and gold for Clélia Santos, Lara Carapinha, Júlia Luís and Leonor Matos in the women’s cadet K4.
Tennis
Portuguese men’s number one Nuno Borges has won his first-ever ATP title by beating tennis legend Rafael Nadal at the Swedish Open. At 38, the Spaniard is at the twilight of his career, but a 6-3 6-2 victory will give Borges huge confidence to push on to bigger and better things. The tournament success has seen the Portuguese rise to number 42 in the world.
Cycling
Russian cyclist Artem Nych has won the 85th edition of the Volta a Portugal (Tour of Portugal). In a vastly weakened field due to a clash with the cycling events at the Olympic Games, Nych won two of the ten stages including the final day individual time trial. Gonçalo Leaça was the highest-placed Portuguese rider, finishing in fourth position.
Rugby
In a historic game in Bloemfontein, world champions South Africa ran out comfortable winners against a plucky Portuguese side by 64-21. A hat-trick of tries by winger Makazole Mapimpi saw the Springboks eventually romp away, but Portugal will have won many plaudits to add more kudos to their growing reputation. The home side made a host of changes to the team that narrowly lost to Ireland, but as it proved in the World Cup, it was their powerful pack that made the difference. In the end, the score line was a fair reflection with South Africa scoring ten tries to Portugal’s three. Regardless of the result, this was another feather in the cap for tier two rugby and a further reminder of the improving standard of rugby in the emerging nations.