■ BOXING
Mundine to fight compatriot
Anthony Mundine said yesterday he will defend his WBA super-middleweight world title against fellow Australian Nader Hamdan in Sydney on Feb. 27. Mundine, who won his second title defense against Argentine Jose Alberto Clavero on Dec. 12, has won 30 fights (23 by knockout) with three defeats. Hamdan, 33, has lost three of his last five fights to take his record to 40-5. Hamdan has never had a crack at a world title in his 10-year professional career, but Mundine insists his mate is "the real deal." "I wouldn't take a fight if I thought he was going to be another easy opponent," Mundine said yesterday.
■ SKYDIVING
World champ hospitalized
World champion skydiver Loic Jean-Albert is recovering in a hospital after crashing on Tuesday, newspapers reported. The 30-year-old Frenchman crashed near Wanaka on New Zealand's South Island during a speed riding session. Speed riding involves skydivers traveling low to the ground around a preset slalom course. Jean-Albert was able to complete the course before seeking treatment from paramedics, the Southland Times reported. The newspaper said Jean-Albert, the world speed riding champion, was in a stable condition in hospital with pelvic injuries.
■ CRICKET
Players face taxing problem
India players are angry that earnings on their current tour of Australia will be taxed by local authorities. Newspapers reported on Wednesday that new Australia tax laws mean up to A$1.5 million (US$1.29 million) in payments and tour fees paid to Indian players will be claimed by federal taxes. The players do not pay taxes on those earnings in India but only on income from sponsorships, the newspapers reported. Tax laws imposed in July 2004 require all entertainers and sportsmen working in Australia to pay taxes. India team media manager MK Shridhar said the Board of Control for Cricket in India was looking at ways to get around the tax problem.
■ RUGBY UNION
England star may be jailed
England outside-half Olly Barkley risks a potential prison sentence after being charged with assault over an alleged attack on a fellow guest at a wedding in July. Barkley, who was a member of England's World Cup squad in France this year, will appear before a Magistrates' Court at Aylesbury near London on Dec. 31 to answer charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm. The offence carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and an unlimited fine. Pending his appearance in court, Barkley will be free to carry on playing for his English Premiership club, Bath, who stressed that the player would be contesting the charges. "Olly vigorously contests wrongdoing on his part, as he has done from the outset," a statement said.
■ TENNIS
Federer, Henin win awards
Roger Federer and Justine Henin are Tennis magazine's 2007 players of the year. It's the fifth consecutive time Federer has won the monthly publication's award. "Roger's serve is more of a weapon than it may appear, and that forehand is deadly," Pete Sampras writes in the January-February issue. "What most impressed me, though was the speed at which he can go from defense to offense. His ability to take command from any place on the court, at any stage of a point, may be his greatest gift of all.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and