■ BOXING
Niida retains world title
Japan's Yutaka Niida pounded out a unanimous-decision victory over Eriberto Gejon of the Philippines to defend his World Boxing Association minimumweight title on Saturday in Tokyo. The bout was a rematch of the September 2005 battle between the pair, in which Niida defeated Gejon by a split decision. It was Niida's sixth defense of the title he won from Noel Arambulet of Venezuela in July 2004, improving his record to 22 wins, including eight KOs, against one defeat and three draws.
■ CYCLING
Bennati wins opening stage
Italian Daniele Bennati, who won the final stage of the Tour de France in July, took the opening stage of the Tour of Spain on Saturday. Second in a bunch sprint was Spaniard Oscar Freire, just ahead of Italian Alessandro Petacchi. Saturday's victory over 153.4km was the first of Bennati's Tour of Spain career. "The first stage of any major tour is always the toughest to win," 26-year-old Bennati said. "But I knew this was my kind of finish -- flat, uncomplicated and where the fastest man normally wins."
■ HORSE RACING
PM launches flu inquiry
Australian Prime Minister John Howard yesterday announced that an official inquiry had been launched into an outbreak of equine influenza that has crippled the country's racing industry. The inquiry will be headed by retired High Court judge Ian Callinan, who will have sweeping powers to probe "every aspect" of the crisis, Howard told reporters in Sydney. "We are determined to find out what happened, how this disease was introduced, whether there's been a breach of quarantine procedures and protocols," Howard said. Racing in the states of New South Wales and Queensland has been suspended indefinitely as a result of the outbreak, which was first detected 10 days ago at a quarantine center in the western outskirts of Sydney.
■ ROWING
Drysdale wins gold medal
Single sculler Mahe Drysdale took world championship gold for the third successive year on a good day for New Zealand in Olympic events finals on Saturday in Munich. Drysdale hauled back early leader Alan Campbell and then held off a late charge from the Czech Ondrej Synek to seal victory, punching the air as he crossed the line. Local favorite Marcel Hacker disappointed a 10,000 strong crowd when he finished only fifth. "I couldn't make use of home advantage," Hacker told reporters. "I suppose I have to be happy I didn't finish last." Carl Meyer, James Dallinger, Eric Murray and Hamish Bond made it another gold for New Zealand in the men's four.
■ RALLYING
Gronholm edges tight win
Finland's Marcus Gronholm edged Sebastian Loeb by 0.3 seconds yesterday in the closest finish in World Rally Championship history to win the Rally of New Zealand for a record fifth time. After trailing Loeb by 1.7 seconds at the start of the third and final day, Gronholm came to the last of the rally's 18 stages -- a 3.1km dash around a purpose-built circuit in Hamilton -- leading his French rival by 0.7 seconds. Gronholm and Loeb were on the road simultaneously, left to decide the outcome of the rally and their standings in the world driver's championship in one last, desperate sprint. Their nearest challenger, third-place Mikko Hirvonen of Finland, was more than 1 minute, 40 seconds behind.
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