SEVEN THINGS: Osazuwa breaks record, Messi loses again and the other five sporting events we saw last week

The African athletics championship came to an end and the tournament showed a glimpse of what Nigeria’s participation at the Olympics would be. Messi was broken again by Chile and a footballer was given a red card for exercising a natural right.

Osazuwa gains Nigeria some pride

Uhunoma Osazuwa produced a sensational outing in the Heptathlon event at the just concluded Africa Athletics Competition where she had a personal best and broke the Nigerian record in the event. The US-based Osazuwa said the championship was a ‘bittersweet’ experience as she did not do as well as she wanted in the javelin event. Sweet, because Osazuwa, broke her personal best (PB) of 6106 points to win the gold with another PB, a national record and championship record of 6153 points.

Messi’s wait for a trophy continues

It seems that Lionel Messi is jinxed with the Argentina national football team, which he currently captain. The mercurial Argentine lost a third final in a row as they lost 2-4 on penalties to Chile in the Copa America Centenario. Messi lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany in extra time and has now lost the 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments to Chile – both on penalties.

Whatever he does between now and the end of his career, he must ensure at least one senior tournament triumph, or else his legacy will be tainted [in the eyes of his country men]. And he may have quit on that losing note, “The national team is over for me. I’ve made my decision.”

Injured Fury accused of doping

British world heavyweight, Tyson Fury, who postponed his title rematch with Wladimir Klitschko has been thrown a body blow by revelations that he might have used a banned stimulant, nandrolone.

The Sunday Mirror revealed that the UK Anti-Doping was investigating Fury because “unacceptable levels of nandrolone” were found in a sample taken from Fury in the lead-up to last November’s fight with Klitschko.

Nandrolone, which is produced naturally in the body in small amounts, can increase muscle growth and reduce tiredness.

It is a body cinch for the 27-year-old and undefeated boxer as he continues to prepare for the rematch that has now been moved to November because he injured his ankle in training last week.

Another goal rain in Kano

Kano Pillars know how to win big. First, it was Shooting Stars that were hit for six, and the former league champions on Saturday put five goals behind the goalkeeper of Abia Warriors.

This would go a long way to atone for the 2-0 defeat suffered on the road to Wikki last weekend. It was Super Eagles midfielder, Rabiu Ali, that started the goals rain, with a penalty on 10 minutes as Razaq Adegbite and Bala Zakka got the second and third goals before the end of the first half. Ali scored his second eight minutes from time and Nafiu Kabuga added gloss to the win when he notched the fifth in added time.

Cycling and sibling rivalry

Hannah Barnes, who returned from a six-month injury layoff in April, edged sister Alice to become Britain’s women’s road race champion in Stockton.

Though in the final analysis, it was a win-win situation for the Barnes’ sisters as Alice, by virtue of her second place finish retained her U-23 title.

Belgium thrash Hungary 4-0

Belgium became the highest single scorers in a match at the ongoing Euro 2016 taking place in France when they knocked four goals past Hungary in their round of 16 clash.

Goals from Toby Alderweireld, Michy Batshuayi, Eden Hazard and Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco confirmed that FIFA’s second-ranked team would be in buoyant mood as they prepare to meet either England or Iceland in the quarterfinals.

And finally…

You can get a red card for farting

Adam Ljungkvist, a Swedish footballer, was sent off for farting during a match – because the referee termed the fart as “deliberate provocation and unsportsmanlike behaviour”.

Ljungkvist said, “I had a bad stomach, so I simply let go,” He was then shown a second yellow card for his unsportsmanlike behaviour

“Then I received two yellow cards and then red. Yes, I was shocked; it’s the strangest thing I have ever experienced in football.

“I asked the referee, ‘What, am I not allowed to break wind a little?’ ‘No,’ he replied … I don’t get it but maybe he thought I farted in my hand and threw the fart at him. But I did not.”

So ensure that you find a safe place to fart this week – you might be breaking many more things than just wind!