Australia won gold in women's basketball at the World University Games yesterday, beating Russia 85-65 in the final. After losing its opening game to Brazil, Australia won five in a row to take the title.
"We played our best game of the tournament when it mattered," Australia coach Carrie Graf said. "We proved that we were typical of an Aussie team. We played great defense and were relentlessly persistent."
Sam Richards, a member of the Australian Olympic team, scored a game-high 26 points to go with eight rebounds, four steals and three assists. Guard Jess Foley added 21 points and point guard Nat Hurst 15.
PHOTO: AP
Taiwan beat the US women's team 71-62 to take fifth place. Tsai Pei-chen led Taiwan with 16 while Danielle Burgin had 18 for the Americans, represented by the University of North Carolina-Charlotte.
The US men's basketball team, represented by the University of Northern Iowa, beat Israel 63-57 to finish in ninth place. Lithuania plays Serbia in the men's gold medal game today.
Unbeaten Canada scored five runs in its last at-bat -- the bottom of the seventh inning -- to beat Taiwan 5-4 in the softball gold medal final.
Taiwan, which beat Japan 7-0 earlier yesterday to advance to the final, went ahead 3-0 after the first inning and led 4-0 before Canada staged its late rally.
Less than five months after Chinese divers won nine of 10 gold medals at the world championships in Melbourne, Australia, the country is doing similar in Bangkok.
Yesterday, 2004 Athens Olympic gold medalist Lao Lishi won the women's 10-meter platform and Peng Bo and Luo Yutong finished one-two in the men's 3-meter springboard.
That followed up Zhang Xinhua's win Thursday in the men's 1-meter event.
Peng and Zhang combined later yesterday to win the men's synchronized 3m springboard, giving China its fourth diving gold of the Games.
The dive wins helped China, host of the Beijing Olympics in less than a year, move past Russia and into first place in the gold medal race.
China, which has 30 golds, is expected to add to its total when four more dive events are contested on the final day today.
Danielle McVeigh of Ireland won the women's golf gold, shooting a 4-over 76 yesterday in the final round to finish the tournament at 4-over 292.
Diana Cantu of Mexico finished four strokes back to win the silver, closing with a 71 Friday, while Hiroko Ayada of Japan took the bronze, shooting a 73 yesterday and finishing another stroke back overall.
Mexico won gold in the tight women's team competition, finishing with a 601 aggregate total, one better than Ireland.
The US took the bronze, another stroke back. American Jennifer Tangtiphaiboontana had a closing 71, Mary Ellen Jacobs 75 and Selanee Henderson 85.
Montenegro beat Italy 11-8 to win the men's water polo gold medal, while Hungary edged Spain 9-8 to take bronze.
Elsewhere today, Canada plays Turkey for the men's volleyball gold -- Italy takes on the US for bronze -- ahead of the closing ceremonies of the 24th summer edition of the University Games.
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely