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■ VOLLEYBAL
US women coast to victory
Logan Tom spiked for 19 points yesterday as the US coasted to a straight-sets win over South Korea to stay undefeated at the volleyball Women's World Cup in Kumamoto, Japan. Danielle Scott-Arruda also had a big day with 17 points as the US downed South Korea 25-21. 25-19, 25-23 to improve to 8-0. South Korea dropped to 2-6. The tournament features 12 teams bidding for three berths at next year's Beijing Olympics. The men's tournament will also be held in Japan from next Sunday to Dec. 2. Elsewhere, European champions Italy also improved to 8-0 with a 25-13, 25-21, 25-17 win over Peru (1-7) in Sapporo. Poland upset Serbia 24-26, 25-23, 25-12, 19-25, 15-10 to improve to 3-5. Serbia dropped to 6-2. Cuba downed winless Thailand 25-22, 23-25, 25-22, 25-13 to improve to 6-2.

■ BOXING
Haye knocks out Mormeck
David Haye knocked out Jean-Marc Mormeck in the seventh round in Levallois, France, on Saturday to take the Frenchman's WBC-WBA cruiserweight titles. The British fighter was floored in the fourth round and fought defensively as Mormeck tried to finish the contest. Instead, Haye caught Mormeck with a big uppercut in the seventh and followed it with a right hook that put his opponent on the canvas. Mormeck got to his feet just before the count of 10, but the referee ruled it a technical knockout. "I was up against one of the best cruiserweights of all time," Haye said. "I knew I had to be in beautiful shape for this fight. He really hurt me in the fourth round, he hit me in the temple and my legs went, it was a great shot." Haye improved to 20-1 overall, with 19 knockouts.

■ SUMO
Kotoshogiku upsets Hakuho
Komusubi Kotoshogiku upset grand champion Hakuho yesterday, the first day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka, Japan. Mongolian Hakuho attempted an arm throw shortly after the faceoff at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, but was forced to the edge and stepped out of the ring just before both wrestlers toppled to the dirt surface. Losing on the opening day of a tournament is nothing new to Hakuho. He was also handed a loss on the first day of the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, but came back to win the Emperor's Cup in the September tournament. In other major bouts, ozeki Chiyotaikai used his trademark arm thrusts to send top maegashira Homasho off the raised ring. Mongolian komusubi Ama came charging out of the blocks and shoved out ozeki Kotomitsuki to pick up an opening day win. Despite a clear disadvantage in size, Ama relied on a superior faceoff to send the ozeki over the straw ridge.

■ SOCCER
Asian Player of the Year
Iraq captain Younis Mahmoud, Saudi striker Yasser al-Qahtani and two Japanese players are among seven people shortlisted for the Asian Football Confederation's (AFC) Player of the Year award. Japan's Yasuhito Endo and Urawa Reds midfielder Shinji Ono, who had a key role in his club's progression to the AFC Champions League quarter-finals, retained their places in the updated list of nominees, from an earlier 33 candidates, the AFC said in a statement yesterday. Nashat Akram from Iraq and Iran's Javad Nekounam and Mohamad Salehi Mehdi are the other contenders in the fray, it said. The AFC Annual Awards ceremony is scheduled for Nov. 28 in Sydney, Australia.
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