■ Basketball
Kung fu fighters get fined
Fourteen Chinese basketball players have been fined a total of more than US$21,700 (17,600 euros) for attacking players from Puerto Rico in an incident that sports authorities called a national disgrace, the country's basketball association said Friday. State media called the on-court violence on July 29 during the six-nation Stankovic Cup in Beijing a "night of shame" and said it damaged China's reputation in advance of the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Fighting erupted when two Chinese players rushed onto the court after a Puerto Rican player fouled a Chinese forward. Fans threw cups and other objects, forcing Puerto Rican players to shield their heads with upturned chairs as they left the court. Referees cut short the game.
■ Boxing
Ali knocks out dealers
Muhammad Ali settled a lawsuit against several sports collectibles dealers to block the sale of artwork and other memorabilia relating to the former heavyweight champion, including a Koran given to him by a former president of Egypt. An injunction issued after the lawsuit was filed in 2003 prevented the sale of hundreds of lithographs which bore forged Ali signatures, along with other items, Ali's attorney, Ron DiNicola, said on Thursday in a statement. Among the items were the Koran Ali received from former Egypt President Gamal Abdul Nasser, and a walking stick from Mobutu Sese Seko, the former president of Zaire. The lithographs were copies of an artist's rendering of Ali's knockout of Sonny Liston in 1965. Handwriting and memorabilia experts determined that the signatures on the lithographs were forged, the statement said. Named in the suit, and included in the settlement, were Grey Flannel Auctions, Inc and B&E Collectibles, Inc, of New York; and Broadway Ricks Strike Zone, Inc, of Florida.
■ Hockey
Niedermayer now a Duck
MVP defenceman Scott Niedermayer signed with Anaheim Mighty Ducks on Thursday, in another wild day of business on the NHL free agent market. A three-time Stanley Cup winner with the New Jersey Devils, Niedermayer, rated as one of the biggest prizes in a deep free agent market, agreed to a four-year contract worth US$27 million and a chance to play on the same team as his brother Rob. It was reported the Devils had offered him US$1 million more a season but the 31-year-old all-star rejected the contract. "Scott Niedermayer is one of the top defencemen in the game today, whose skating, puck-moving ability and leadership qualities make him a great addition to our team," Ducks GM Brian Burke said in a statement.
■ Horse racing
Pat decides to call it a day
With tears in his eyes, Pat Day brought an end to one of horse racing's most successful careers. "Since I made the decision to retire, there's been a joy and a peace that flooded my soul," the Hall of Fame jockey said Thursday during a news conference at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. Day, with his wife Sheila and daughter Irene at his side, said he won't ride, but will continue to be a presence at race tracks around the country with the Race Track Chaplaincy program, working with chaplains behind the scenes. Day said he spent time in recent days at a friend's cabin on the Kentucky River, pondering his decision.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and