Thailand set new Southeast Asian (SEA) Games records in both the men's and women's 4x100m relays on the track yesterday.
The host nation won the men's event in 38.95 -- 0.16 faster than the mark it set eight years ago -- while the women won gold with a time of 44.00 -- three-tenths of a second quicker than its record set at the previous SEA Games two years ago.
Henry Dagmil of the Philippines broke his own games long jump record with his first leap of 7.87 and won gold, while Malaysia's Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian shaved a hundredth of a second off the 110 meters hurdle mark by winning in 13.91.
In other athletics events, Siri Shahida Abdullah of Malaysia defended her women's hammerthrow title, Dedeh Erawati of Indonesia won the women's 100m hurdles, and Wansawang Sawasdee of Thailand took the men's discus.
As he did in the 5,000m, Thailand's Boonthung Srisung beat Julius Sermona of the Philippines in the 10,000m.
In weightlifting, Indonesia's Sandow Waldemar Nasution -- complete with multiple piercings, tattoos and smoking between lifts -- won gold in the men's 77kg class with a world-competitive aggregate of 341kg.
In the women's, Thailand's Khanittha Petanang won the 69kg class and Vietnam's Thi Thiet Nguyen the 63kg event.
In the first day of action at the velodrome, Indonesia's Uyun Muzizah edged Thailand's Jutatip Maneephan by four hundredths of a second to claim gold in the women's 500m time trial.
Singapore won double gold in the singles table tennis, as Ning Gao in the men's and Yuegu Wang in the women's won their respective finals in straight games. Singapore has invested heavily in its table tennis program in the hope of upsetting the powerhouse Chinese in next year's Olympics.
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