■ Cycling
Haussler takes Stage 19
Heinrich Haussler of Germany won a late sprint to take the 19th stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Friday, while defending champion Roberto Heras retained his overall lead. Haussler, of the Gerolsteiner team, crossed the line in 3 hours, 20 minutes, 26 seconds leading a tight three-man pack with Martin Elmiger of Switzerland second and Spain's David Latasa third. Both were awarded the same time as Haussler. "It's my first professional win and it's very important for me and for my team," said the 21-year-old Haussler. "It justified their presence at the Vuelta, despite not coming here with their best riders after the Tour de France."
■ Soccer
Robin van Persie banned
Arsenal forward Robin van Persie has been banned for one match after his high kick hit Alen Orman in the face during his team's Champions League match against Swiss side Thun. UEFA's ruling on Friday means Van Persie will miss Arsenal's next Champions League match, away to Ajax on Sept. 27. Van Persie received a red card from Polish referee Grzegorz Gilewski after catching Orman in the face with his raised foot shortly before halftime of Wednesday's group-stage fixture in at Highbury. The forward lifted his boot high to try and control the ball and caught Orman in the face, opening an ugly gash that required eight stitches. The Gunners won 2-1. Although Arsenal argued that Van Persie had unintentionally hit Orman in the face, soccer's European governing body deemed that even if the player had not intended to harm his opponent, "the reckless element involved in the challenge was punishable under UEFA disciplinary law." UEFA said the decision was not subject to appeal.
■ Hockey
John J. McMullen dies
John J. McMullen, former owner of NHL team the New Jersey Devils and the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball, died in Montclair, New Jersey on Friday at 87. The cause of death was not released by the Devils. McMullen was credited with bringing NHL hockey to New Jersey, acquiring the Colorado franchise in 1982 and moving it to the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Under his ownership, the team won two Stanley Cups. He sold the franchise in 2000 to an affiliate of the YankeeNets sports holding company for US$175 million. McMullen owned the Astros from 1979-1992. He then sold the team to Drayton McLane Jr. for US$115 million. Born in Jersey City, McMullen graduated from the Naval Academy in 1940 and rose to the rank of commander during a 15-year naval career. He earned a master's degree in naval architecture and engineering from MIT and a doctorate in mechanical engineering from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology.
■ Football
NFL suspends Bucs back
Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie fullback Rick Razzano was suspended for four games by the NFL on Friday for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids. Razzano said through the team that he tested positive for a substance he used in training before joining the Buccaneers. He did not identify the substance. Razzano, a third-stringer who plays behind Mike Alstott and Jameel Cook, was inactive for last Sunday's season opener at Minnesota. He will be eligible to return to the active roster on Oct. 10, a day after Tampa Bay plays the New York Jets.
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
‘SOURCE OF PRIDE’: Newspapers rushed out special editions and the government sent their congratulations as Shohei Ohtani became the first player to enter the 50-50 club Japan reacted with incredulity and pride yesterday after Shohei Ohtani became the first player in Major League Baseball to record 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases in a single season. The Los Angeles Dodgers star from Japan made history with a seventh-inning homer in a 20-4 victory over the Marlins in Miami. “We would like to congratulate him from the bottom of our heart,” top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters in Tokyo. “We sincerely hope Mr Ohtani, who has already accomplished feat after feat and carved out a new era, will thrive further,” he added. The landmark achievement dominated Japanese morning news
Roger Federer on Wednesday said that staying involved with tennis in retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of this week’s Laver Cup in Berlin. Federer, who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador. “I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters. “I feel I ripped the Band-Aid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there,” he said. “I don’t feel like an alien, which is a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or