Calling all sports fans! Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride this weekend!

Austrian Grand Prix

Get the popcorn in this Sunday as the Red Bull Ring plays host to the next round of the formula 1 season. Speaking of Red Bull, last year it was reigning champion Max Verstappen who took the chequered flag here and the Dutchman will be looking to get back to winning ways after a disappointing showing at Silverstone.

Despite only being able to muster a seventh-place finish last Sunday, Verstappen’s lead at the top of the drivers’ championship standings is looking safe as Charles Leclerc missed a golden opportunity to put his title bid back on track (no pun intended!). The Monacan had to settle for 4th place in the end after questionable strategic decisions from Ferrari meant that it was his teammate Carlos Sainz Jr., who topped the podium for the first time in his F1 career.

In fact, the Spaniard is now just 11 points behind his teammate in the drivers’ championship standings and could even overtake Leclerc here if the latter’s rotten streak of luck continues. If ever there was a time for Leclerc to reignite his quest to be crowned drivers’ champion, then this is it.

What’s more, Red Bull also managed to limit the dent Ferrari made in their lead in the constructor’s championship as Sergio Pérez managed to bag a second-place finish, which means that his team still have a commanding 63-point lead over their main challengers going into this race.

Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton also impressed on home soil, grabbing a third-place finish with a consummate drive. Although Hamilton might be disappointed that he didn’t finish higher, after being in with a shout of picking up a win here for most of the race, such a result does indicate that the issues plaguing his car earlier in the season could now be a thing of the past.

Whatever happens, we’re bound to be in for a thrilling race this weekend!

WTT Star Contender Budapest

Next Monday, get ready for one of the biggest tournaments in the table tennis calendar, with the top ten best players in the world, for both the Men’s and Women’s Singles, getting ready to descend upon Hungary for the WTT Star Contender Budapest!

In the Men’s Singles, world No.1 Fan Zhendong will not be competing, however fear not as there is still a complete all-star line-up! All eyes will surely be on Ma Long; he is widely considered to be the greatest table tennis player of all time, winning every important singles competition possible throughout his career, from Majors tournaments to ITTF World Tours and domestic competitions. If he shows 70% of what he is capable of, he will be crowned champion of this tournament. So, for viewers looking for their winner, look no further!

Out of the rest of the top 10, one of his main challengers will be 2nd seed Liang Jingkun. Liang Jingkun was crowned champion of the WTT Contender Muscat back in February, and although the competition will be stiffer here, a final four finish looks to be very much within reach!

8th seed Lin Yun Ju will also be one to watch in Budapest. The 20-year-old Taiwanese prodigy has some outstanding talent and at the T2 Diamond Malaysia back in 2019, managed to win the entire tournament, beating the two best players in the world, Fan Zhendong and Ma Long, on his way to victory! As if that’s not enough, he did so at the tender age of just 18! It is uncertain whether he’ll find that kind of form again at this tournament, but there’s no doubt that he’s got that power in his locker, so the Taiwanese tactician is definitely one to watch out for!

Swedish ace Truls Moregard will also be featuring at this event, having consistently climbed the world rankings over the last year and now sits at 5th place! The bat-throwing bad boy will look to spice up the event in Budapest, however it looks like the true power of the opposition will prove to be too much for him to make any ground. But, one thing is certain, his matches will be ones to watch out for!

In the Women’s Singles, this star-studded line up is so difficult to call, with some truly outstanding players taking the stage. Three players who have all spent time at the summit of the World Rankings will take part, with current World No.1 Chen Meng leading the way. Chen will look to build on her excellent performance at the Singapore Smash but will undoubtedly face stiff competition at the front of the pack as Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu look to make up important ground in their quest to return to the top of the standings. 

Two of Japan’s brightest young talents will also feature, in the shape of Hina Hayata and Mima Ito, who both achieved successful Star Contender campaigns in 2021. Can either of them relight the fire one year on? 

Calling out a winner doesn’t get tougher than this! But for those looking for answers on who will be crowned champion, Wang Manyu or Chen Meng look to be the best options. The two Chinese champions will look to build on their impressive 2022 form, but who will have the edge? The main thing to note is on the last two occasions these two faced each other this year, both matches ended 4-3, with both players winning one match a piece. Is there a score to settle in Budapest this July? And who will come out on top?

Get ready for a showdown like no other!