At the 17th World MMA Awards, selected by Fighter Only magazine, Myanmar fighter Joshua Van has been included in the preliminary list for two award categories.
The World MMA Awards are among the most prestigious honours for MMA fighters, with a total of 23 categories being awarded this year. Winners are chosen through fan voting, based on performances in bouts held between July 2024 and June 2025. The preliminary lists for each category are compiled from these performances.
Joshua Van has been shortlisted for the Breakthrough Fighter of the Year award and the Fight of the Year award. His bout on 28 June against Brandon Royval at UFC 317 was included in the Fight of the Year list. That match was recognized as the “Best Co-Main Event” of UFC 317, and was also chosen as “Fight of the Month” for June by UFC.
For the Breakthrough Fighter of the Year award, Van appears alongside four other athletes, including Reinier de Ridder, a fighter familiar to Myanmar fans.
Joshua Van has won 13 out of 15 professional fights, with five consecutive victories in his most recent bouts. He began competing in the UFC in 2023, where he has secured seven wins from eight fights. His victory over Brandon Royval in his latest match has earned him a title shot for the UFC Flyweight World Championship belt later this year. In 2018, renowned Myanmar fighter Aung La N Sang won the International Fighter of the Year award at the World MMA Awards. — Shine Htet Zaw/KZL

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Aiming to achieve the best outcomes in 33rd Southeast Asian Games, a work coordination meeting on administration and management was held at the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs with the attendance of the Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs and, Hotels and Tourism Jeng Phang Naw Taung on 13th August.

During the meeting, the Union Minister in his capacity as chairman of the Myanmar Olympic Committee instructed to present reports on the arrangements and training process of the athletes to secure significant achievements in 33rd SEA Games, administrative measures and requisite assistance for all relevant sectors.

After hearing sector-wise reports presented by the officials, the Deputy Ministers instructed on systematic and timely work implementation and supplemented necessities. Then, the Union Minister stressed to accelerate the preparation measures, ensuring smooth work process and concluded the meeting.

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Three Myanmar fighters will take part in the ONE Friday Fights 120 event to be held in Thailand on 15 August.
The fighters are Thant Zin, Soe Naung Oo, and Auk Chin Lay. Thant Zin will face Thai fighter Gingsanglek, Soe Naung Oo will meet Lebanese fighter Omar, and Auk Chin Lay will take on Japanese fighter Ishii.
The bout between Thant Zin and Gingsanglek was initially scheduled for 8 August but was postponed by one week due to Gingsanglek’s health condition. Thant Zin, who has fought four matches under ONE, holds two wins and two losses, and will aim to end his current two-bout losing streak. Their fight is slated as the Co-Main Event.
Meanwhile, both Soe Naung Oo and Auk Chin Lay will make their debut appearances in the ONE ring. — Chit Ko Ko/KZL

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Myanmar secured first place in Group B of the 2025 ASEAN Women’s Championship and advanced to the semifinals after drawing 1-1 with defending champions the Philippines on 13 August in Vietnam.
In the day’s other Group B match, Australia defeated Timor-Leste 9-0. The result meant Myanmar topped the group, while the Philippines was eliminated from the tournament, losing its grip on the title. Having won their first two matches, Myanmar went into the final group game knowing the result would be decisive for their semifinal hopes.
The Philippines, needing a win, started aggressively, but Myanmar’s defence held firm. After the opening 10 minutes, Myanmar began to counter effectively, and in 32 minutes, Win Theingi Tun was fouled in the box, earning a penalty. She converted the spot kick herself to give Myanmar the lead.
The Philippines equalized in the 71st minute through Nina, capitalizing on a defensive lapse. Myanmar held on to preserve the draw, although substitute Yoo Wadi Hlaing missed a late chance to secure the win with a 90th-minute free kick.
At the end of the group stage, Vietnam topped Group A with nine points, followed by Thailand with six. In Group B, Myanmar finished first with seven points, while Australia took second with six.
The semifinals, set for 16 August, will see Myanmar face Thailand, while host Vietnam will take on Australia. — Shine Htet Zaw/KZL

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Early on Saturday, as temperatures soared outside, a sprawling shopping centre in Dubai echoed to the squeak of sneakers as hundreds of people joined "Mallathon" -- an indoor, air-conditioned race.

The government-backed initiative aims to encourage exercise during August, often the United Arab Emirates' hottest month, and make use of Dubai's giant malls which are otherwise empty at that time. Running outside during summer in the Gulf, one of the world's hottest regions where temperatures sometimes top 50C, is unpleasant and even unsafe for many.

Throughout August, nine of the city's shopping centres -- including the cavernous Dubai Mall, one of the world's biggest -- are open daily for runners and walkers from 7am-10am.

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Manchester United has announced the signing of Slovenia international Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, bolstering their attacking options ahead of the new season. The 22-year-old forward has signed a contract until June 2030, the club confirmed in a statement.

Over the past two seasons, Sesko has scored more goals than any other player under the age of 23 in Europe's top five leagues. In the 2024-25 campaign alone, he netted 21 goals and provided six assists for Leipzig. Since making his debut in 2021 and becoming Slovenia's youngest-ever senior international, Sesko has earned 41 caps and scored 16 goals for his country.

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The Myanmar-based team, Yangon Galacticos won the PUBG Mobile tournament at the Esports World Cup 2025 in Saudi Arabia. A grand celebration and a meet-and-greet event for the world champion team were held at People's Square in Yangon.

The celebration featured a documentary on the journey of Myanmar's Esports athletes, speeches by senior Esports players, and heartfelt words from the parents of the champion athletes. The Managing Director of Kanbawza Bank Limited, honored the Myanmar Electronic Sports Federation with a donation of 500 million kyats. Following this, the Managing Director of KBZPay, contributed 200 million kyats to support the successful organization of the celebration.

KBZPay continues to support the development of Myanmar Esports sector by sponsoring various tournaments, including the Inter-University Esports Competition (Varsity League), the National Esports Championship leading to the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, and the Esports World Cup. Since the establishment of the Myanmar Electronic Sports Federation, KBZ Bank and KBZPay have provided a total of 4.5 billion kyats to help develop the Esports scene in Myanmar.

The Esports World Cup 2025 in Saudi Arabia was one of the world's largest international Esports tournaments, with over 1,000 elite teams and approximately 5,000 professional players from more than 100 countries competing.

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Hong Kong held 100-day countdown to 15th National Games. The 100-day countdown event took place at the Hong Kong Velodrome in Tseung Kwan O. As part of the countdown events, the authorities earlier invited some 220,000 residents to bike, swim and run their way to 999,900 kilometers.

During the 15th National Games, this venue will host track cycling events. The National Games, jointly organised by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, will be held in November.  Hong Kong will host eight sports events, including fencing and beach volleyball.

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The Myanmar women’s national football team is in its final phase of preparations for the 2025 ASEAN Women’s Championship, which will be held in Vietnam from 6 to 19 August.
Following their participation in the AFC qualifying rounds, the team began training and travelled to China for a series of tune-up matches from 19 to 31 July. During the China tour, Myanmar played two friendlies against the China U20 women’s team and one match against a local club. The results of these matches were not officially announced.
The team returned to Yangon on 1 August and completed final preparations on 2 and 3 August. A 23-player squad will depart for Vietnam on 4 August.
Eight teams will compete in the tournament. Myanmar is in Group B alongside the Philippines, Australia U23, and Timor-Leste. Group A includes Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Cambodia.
Myanmar will face Australia U23 on 7 August, Timor-Leste on 10 August, and the Philippines on 13 August during the group stage. — Shine Htet Zaw/KZL

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The Myanmar U22 national football team resumed training on 2 August in preparation for upcoming international tournaments scheduled for later this year.
Following their participation in the 2025 ASEAN U23 Championship held in Indonesia from 15 to 29 July, the team took a short break before regrouping. They are now preparing for the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Qualifiers in September and the XXXIII SEA Games to be held in December.
The team is training under head coach Kurosaki from Japan, with around 30 players in the current squad. So far, under Kurosaki’s leadership, Myanmar has not yet secured a win in international competitions or friendlies and continues working toward better results. In the recent ASEAN U23 Championship, they exited at the group stage after drawing with both Thailand and Timor-Leste.
Myanmar has been placed in Group B for the AFC U23 Qualifiers alongside Japan, Kuwait, and Afghanistan. The group matches will be hosted in Myanmar from 3 to 9 September. Details for the SEA Games football competition, to be hosted by Thailand, are yet to be finalized. — Chit Ko Ko/KZL

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