Ryder Cup captain Ian Woosnam received an award on British Queen Elizabeth II's New Year's Honors list yesterday for leading Europe to a third straight victory over the US.
Woosnam, who won the 1991 Masters and was ranked No. 1 for a total of 50 weeks, was given an Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for Europe's win at The K Club in Ireland in September.
Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, became the first senior royal to win the honor of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Phillips won gold in eventing at the World Equestrian Games in Germany in August.
The 25-year-old also won the BBC sports personality of the year, 35 years after Princess Anne herself won the award for equestrianism.
"I'm honored I've been recognized for my achievements in equestrianism and pleased British Eventing nominated me -- I'm delighted for the sport,'' Phillips said.
England midfielder Steven Gerrard also picked up an MBE, a year after he led Liverpool to the Champions League title. He has also won the FA, League and UEFA Cups in his eight years at the Reds.
Reports that Real Madrid midfielder and former England captain David Beckham would receive a knighthood proved unfounded, as no sports person received the Queen's highest distinction this year.
Former WBA welterweight and IBF light-welterweight champion Ricky "The Hitman" Hatton (41-0) also received an MBE. He received the Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year award last year.
Former Football Association executive director David Davies and yachtsman Michael Golding each received an OBE.
Golding was 1,609km from land when he sailed 129km to rescue one of his rivals in the Five Oceans round-the-world race last month.
In descending order after knighthood, the honors are CBE, OBE and MBE.
Badges have recently been created so that the awards can be shown and recipients are allowed to put the letters after their names.
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