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Sports

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell (centre) said after Monday’s practice that he is seeking input from the players on his play-calling.

Bombers search for an offensive identity after Week 8 tailspin

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read 6:30 PM CDT

Tommy Condell has been around long enough to know that criticism is part of the job, so you can understand why there were moments when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator sounded a tad defensive when speaking to the media on Monday afternoon.

The Bombers were coming off a disappointing 52-30 loss to the Calgary Stampeders that dropped them to 4-3 on the season.

In many instances, a 30-point outburst would have been cause for celebration. But when you look under the hood of Friday’s outing — which included four interceptions for Bombers pivot Dru Brown — the picture wasn’t quite as rosy.

Compounding matters, star tailback Brady Oliveira went from making the longest touchdown run of his CFL career — a 45-yard scamper late in the third quarter — to being a mostly forgotten player in the fourth as the club mostly abandoned the run in an effort to rally from nine and eventually 12-point deficits.

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Amateur

ACHILLE ABBOUD PHOTO Winnipegger Steven Bairos-Novak took bronze in the overall men’s cyr wheel competition and silver for the men’s cyr wheel artistic division earlier this month at the IRV World Championships in Gottingen, Germany.

Winnipegger Bairos-Novak medals at wheel gymnastics worlds

Grace Penner 7 minute read Preview

Winnipegger Bairos-Novak medals at wheel gymnastics worlds

Grace Penner 7 minute read 5:00 PM CDT

Steven Bairos-Novak has always had a knack for participating in the more unconventional side of sports. He has since added wheel gymnastics to that list.

The Winnipegger has always been an athlete but not consistently in the same sport. In high school, he was deemed too short to play basketball and while that was one dream crushed at a young age, he pivoted to start something new.

“My dad wanted me to do a sport and he knew another parent of a pole vaulter, so he got me started. I fell in love with pole vault,” Bairos-Novak said.

Starting in Grade 10, he trained at Winnipeg Optimist Athletics, learning the world of track and field. Coincidentally, recent athlete-builder inductee of the Sports Manitoba Hall of Fame — Wayne McMahon — was one of his coaches, alongside Scot Dressler.

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5:00 PM CDT

Amateur

BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS files Cathy Derewianchuk (centre) congratulates Rhonda Orr in last year’s women’s senior championship. Derewianchuk is leading after day one of this year’s edition.

New women’s senior champ to be crowned

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

New women’s senior champ to be crowned

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read 9:13 PM CDT

They may as well re-name the Manitoba Women’s Senior Championship the “Rhonda Orr Open” at this point, given the way she has dominated the annual event.

The 64-year-old, who plays out of Southwood Golf & Country Club, has won 10 straight titles — and 12 of the past 13 — to etch her name in local sports history.

Unfortunately, Orr’s incredible streak is coming to a screeching halt this week. Rather than teeing it up on Monday at Breezy Bend for the start of the 54-hole event, she was home recovering from a recent medical procedure which quickly put everything into perspective.

“Very disappointing that I wasn’t able to recover enough to play. That was my goal, but it didn’t work out. I definitely had a few tears over it,” Orr told the Free Press.

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9:13 PM CDT

Sports

CASSIDY DANKOCHIK / THE CARILLON Montreal Victoire defender Kati Tabin was back in Oakbank to celebrate with the town she grew up playing in, bringing along the Walter Cup after she helped her team claim earlier this season.

Trailblazer Kati Tabin brings PWHL championship trophy home to share success, inspire next generation

Grace Penner 6 minute read Preview

Trailblazer Kati Tabin brings PWHL championship trophy home to share success, inspire next generation

Grace Penner 6 minute read Saturday, Jul. 25, 2026

Starstruck kids and fans zigzagged throughout the rink, anxiously waiting to get an autograph from Kati Tabin and to see their role model on the same side of the glass.

Tabin, Montreal Victoire defender and Team Canada silver medallist, on Saturday came home to the rink where it all began, the Oakbank Community Club. She brought the PWHL championship trophy, the Walter Cup, won in her third season with the club, as well as her 2026 Milan Cortina Olympic medal.

The arena was packed to the brim with fans from all over coming to see Tabin — the local player who made history in women’s hockey. Hundreds of enthusiasts of all ages lined up with their Victoire or Team Canada merchandise, some waiting over two hours to see their idol.

Eight-year-old Loxley Cierzan came with her mother, Ainsley, and other family members to meet the one and only Tabin. Cierzan has loved seeing other girls grace the ice and play the competitive sport she adores. When the PWHL takeover stopped in Winnipeg in March, she not only got to watch the game but also a practice beforehand where Tabin signed her Victoire hat.

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Saturday, Jul. 25, 2026

Basketball

WINNIPEG SEA BEARS Xavier Moon of the Winnipeg Sea Bears sets up the offence Saturday afternoon against the Brampton Honey Badgers.

Ref ‘dominates’ game in Sea Bears loss to Honey Badgers, says coach

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Preview

Ref ‘dominates’ game in Sea Bears loss to Honey Badgers, says coach

Joshua Frey-Sam 7 minute read Saturday, Jul. 25, 2026

Following a festive Christmas-in-July-themed Saturday afternoon inside Canada Life Centre, Winnipeg Sea Bears head coach Mike Raimbault didn’t mince words about who he thought was the Grinch in a hard-fought 88-86 loss to the visiting Brampton Honey Badgers that ended in controversy.

As the Sea Bears owned a one-point lead in Target Score Time, Brampton guard Sean East II was awarded three free throws — all of which he converted — after a questionable foul called on Teddy Allen by official Perry Stothart.

Raimbault, who has been known to bite his tongue on such topics, left nothing to the imagination about where he stood on the game-deciding judgment made in a game that had major post-season implications.

“I just felt like it was a fitting ending to the game where Perry Stothart had dominated the flow of the game from the start,” he said. “For him to call a bit of a guess foul and end the game on the foul, I felt like it’s disappointing that he can come in and dictate how the game’s going to be played and flow, and (that) continues to be a bit of an M.O. for him. So I think we’re disappointed with the fact that the league continues to let that happen.”

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Saturday, Jul. 25, 2026

NFL

Pro Bowl linebacker Jamal Adams indicates he’s joining Vikings on the eve of camp

The Associated Press 2 minute read 10:53 PM CDT

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Three-time Pro Bowler Jamal Adams says he's joining the Minnesota Vikings on the eve of training camp.

Adams announced the move on social media Monday night, posting “Year 10” and the Vikings' “skol” hashtag.

Adams has played multiple positions during his nine-year NFL career, including 17 games at linebacker with the Las Vegas Raiders last season.

Adams was the seventh overall pick of the 2017 NFL draft by the Jets and twice was a Pro Bowler in New York. He was a first-team All-Pro safety in 2019 went to the Pro Bowl again in 2020 with Seattle before struggling with injuries.

Baseball

Boston Red Sox's Curtis Mead is hit by a pitch during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, July 27, 2026, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Curtis Mead leaves after being hit on the wrist by a pitch in 2nd at-bat with Red Sox

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Curtis Mead leaves after being hit on the wrist by a pitch in 2nd at-bat with Red Sox

The Associated Press 2 minute read 10:31 PM CDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Curtis Mead has left his first game with the Boston Red Sox after being hit on the left wrist by a pitch against the Athletics.

Mead struck out looking in the first at-bat of his Boston debut Monday night and was struck on the wrist by A's starter Jack Perkins in the fourth. Mead tried to shake off the pain, but left the game after being checked by the Red Sox's trainer.

The Red Sox acquired Mead on Saturday in a trade that sent left-hander Connelly Early to Washington.

Mead is hitting .253 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs this season.

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10:31 PM CDT

Sports Editor's Picks

Soccer facility gets $750K from province for upgrades

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Young people take part in a soccer scrimmage Friday after an announcement that the province will commit $750,000 into upgrades at the Ralph Cantafio Soccer Complex.

Winnipegger Langelaar competing to be North America’s Strongest Man

SUPPLIED Winnipegger Andrew Langelaar is competing in North America’s Strongest Man from July 25-26 in Victoriaville, Que.

Sea Bears Dance Crew takes athleticism to the next level

SEA BEARS PHOTO

Bombers fortunate to escape with win

Bombers fortunate to escape with win

The World Cup is over. Here’s where to get your next soccer fix

England soccer fans celebrate during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina at The Clock pub in Hebburn, England, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Overlooked Really Ralis now the local favourite for Manitoba Derby

GEORGE WILLIAMS Trainer Cindy Krasner with her recent Derby Trial winner Rally Ralis.

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Baseball

Toronto Blue Jays staring pitcher Max Scherzer throws during the second inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, July 27, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/John McDonnell)

Urías homers, Blue Jays beat Nationals 3-2 in Scherzer’s return to Washington

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Urías homers, Blue Jays beat Nationals 3-2 in Scherzer’s return to Washington

The Associated Press 3 minute read Updated: 9:13 PM CDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Luis Urías homered, Myles Straw had a double and a run-scoring single, and the Toronto Blue Jays celebrated Max Scherzer's return to Washington with a 3-2 win over the Nationals on Monday night.

Scherzer came off the injured list to start on his 42nd birthday. In his first appearance since June 10, he gave up a run on four hits over 2 2/3 innings, throwing 75 pitches.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner's night ended after he struck out Daylen Lile to end a 12-pitch at-bat and looked to the Toronto bench.

Scherzer, who spent about 6 1/2 seasons with the Nationals and helped them win the 2019 World Series, left to a standing ovation and waved as he neared the Blue Jays dugout after his 100th career start at Nationals Park.

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Updated: 9:13 PM CDT

Baseball

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jake Mangum celebrates after scoring on a single by Brandon Lowe off Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Monday, July 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Brandon Lowe’s 10th-inning hit rallies the Pirates over the Diamondbacks 3-2

Will Graves, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Brandon Lowe’s 10th-inning hit rallies the Pirates over the Diamondbacks 3-2

Will Graves, The Associated Press 3 minute read 9:06 PM CDT

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Brandon Lowe singled home Billy Cook in the bottom of the 10th inning to rally the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Lowe finished a three-hit night by lacing a line drive off Diamondbacks reliever Taylor Clarke (2-2) that smacked off the glove of Arizona first baseman Ildemaro Vargas and rolled away, allowing Cook to race home as the Pirates pulled even with the Diamondbacks for the National League's third wild-card spot.

Mason Montgomery (4-3) worked around an error by third baseman Nick Gonzales and escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the 10th to earn the victory. The Pirates' bullpen, which has been a sore spot much of the season, tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings.

Bryan Reynolds delivered a game-tying RBI double in the eighth for Pittsburgh, which lost promising rookie outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez to a left-hand injury in the fourth inning after getting hit with a fastball by Arizona starter Merrill Kelly.

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9:06 PM CDT

Baseball

Baltimore Orioles' Leody Taveras watches his home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Monday, July 27, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Holliday’s 4 hits, Orioles’ 3 homers leads to an 8-5 victory over the Tigers

Dave Hogg, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Holliday’s 4 hits, Orioles’ 3 homers leads to an 8-5 victory over the Tigers

Dave Hogg, The Associated Press 3 minute read 8:52 PM CDT

DETROIT (AP) — Jackson Holliday had four hits and the Baltimore Orioles hit three home runs in an 8-5 win against the Detroit Tigers on Monday night.

The Orioles had gone nine straight games without a multi-homer game. But, against the Tigers, Baltimore went deep twice in the fifth and once in the sixth and scored in five of the first six innings.

Detroit lost its third straight game, falling to 50-57 and facing tough decisions heading into the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

Grant Wolfram (3-2) picked up the win in relief and Rico Garcia pitched the ninth for his fifth save.

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8:52 PM CDT

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