■ CRICKETT
Ashley Giles to coach spin
Former Test bowler Ashley Giles will join England's Performance Programme as spin coach, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said on Friday. The 34-year-old left-armer, part of the 2005 Ashes-winning side, will work with England's promising spin bowlers in India during the four-week training camp. "I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of working with the players involved in the EPP," Giles, who had to retire this year because of chronic hip problems, said in a statement. "It's exciting to be so hands-on in a coaching role."
■ Boxing
WBC plans Rocky statue
The World Boxing Council (WBC) said yesterday that it plans to set up a statue honoring late heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano in his home state of Massachusetts. WBC secretary general Gabriel Penagaricano said the boxing organization approved the statue of Marciano, the "Brockton Blockbuster" during its annual convention in the Philippine capital. The WBC is now seeking the permission of US authorities to set up the statue either in Boston or in Brockton, the birthplace of Marciano, the only man to retire undefeated as heavyweight champion, Penagaricano said.
■ Volleyball
Simona Gioli made MVP
Italy's Simona Gioli received the most valuable player's award after leading her team to their first victory in the women's World Cup volleyball tournament in Nagoya, Japan, on Friday. It was the 30-year-old middle blocker's triple victory as she also won the best blocker's award with a total of 33 points. Katarzyna Skowronska-Dolata, of Poland, was the best scorer with a total of 182 points, including 154 points off her powerful shots in 11 games. Cuba's Yanelis Santos Allegne won the best server's award, hitting 21 aces, and her compatriot Nancy Carrillo de la Paz received the best spiker's award, with the best percentage of 52.53.
■ Boxing
Warrant issued for Eubank
A judge issued a warrant for the arrest of former world boxing champion Chris Eubank after he failed to appear in court on Friday over a solo anti-war truck protest. Eubank, who has a reputation as an eccentric, drives a huge truck and attempted to park it outside the entrance to Downing Street, the prime minister's residence in London, in May to protest about the war in Iraq. The 41-year-old was due to appear before City of Westminster Magistrates' Court in London over the protest involving the 7 tonne truck, which is 9.75m long. In his absence, a district judge fined Eubank ?500 (US$1,025), ordered him to pay ?365 costs and a ?15 victim surcharge. He has 14 days to pay.
■ Soccer
Ferreira back in action
Former Paraguay striker Julio Gonzalez Ferreira, who had his arm amputated after a car accident almost two years ago, is poised to make his comeback for first division Tacuary on Friday. Gonzalez was playing for Italy's Vicenza when he was involved in the accident on the way to Venice airport in December 2005. He is not in the team for Friday's league match against Olimpia but Tacuary's coach has promised to use him as a substitute. "I pray to God everything goes well today and I can continue training and playing at professional level," Gonzalez said.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just