■ BOXING.
Thai boxer challenges Sosa
Thai boxer Noknoi Kratingdaenggym will challenge World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa of Mexico in June, his promoters said yesterday in Bangkok. The 22-year-old Noknoi, who holds the WBC light flyweight youth title, will take part in his first senior title challenge fight against Sosa on June 7 at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City. Petchyindee Boxing Promotion chairman Virat Vachirarattanawong said it will be a good opportunity for the Thai boxer, who will face a tough opponent in the current titleholder. “Noknoi is ready to challenge the title — it is not easy to beat Sosa but we are ready,” he said in a statement.
■ FIELD HOCKEY
Antilles surprise India
India’s hopes of qualifying for the women’s field hockey tournament at the Beijing Olympics suffered a setback in a surprise 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands Antilles in Kazan, Russia, on Sunday. The result means that Netherlands Antilles now have two wins from their first two matches, keeping them on track for a possible appearance in Sunday’s Olympic qualifier final. India need to win their last three group matches to be sure of a final birth. The Caribbean side took the lead after an India penalty corner broke down. Netherlands Antilles stormed forward with Clair Visser scoring in the bottom corner. India levelled in the second half through the impressive Rani Devi who picked the ball up on the left and fired the ball across the goalkeeper into the far corner.
■ BADMINTON
Jonassen wins men’s final
Kenneth Jonassen won an all-Danish men’s final and Xu Huaiwen of Germany captured the women’s singles title at the European Badminton Championships in Herning, Denmark, on Sunday. The top-seeded Jonassen beat Joachim Persson 21-13, 21-16 for his first European singles title. Jonassen set the early pace and was in control of the final from the start. Xu came from one set down to beat Tine Rasmussen of Denmark 12-21, 21-12, 21-17 for her second straight women’s championship.
■ CYCLING
Cunego wins Amstel Gold
Italy’s Damiano Cunego of Lampre took over the lead in the ProTour competition on Sunday after winning the Amstel Gold Race in Maastricht, Netherlands. He beat Luxembourg’s Frank Schleck and Alejandro Valverde of Spain in an uphill sprint at the end of the 257.4km race. Cunego got 40 points for his win after scoring 33 in the recent Tour of the Basque Country stage race and leads the individual ProTour standings with 73 points. Early ProTour leader Andrei Grepiel of Germany did not ride the Amstel Gold Race and slipped to second with 62 points. Tour of the Basque Country winner Alberto Contador is third with 58 points.
■ RUGBY
Louden to leave Australia
NSW Waratahs’ attack coach Todd Louden will leave Australia after this year’s Super 14 season to become head coach of Japanese club Ricoh, reports said in Sydney, Australia, yesterday. In signing with the Tokyo side for almost US$552,000 a year over two seasons, Louden has knocked back a lucrative offer from an English club, and opted against applying for the Waratahs’ head coach job, The Sydney Morning Herald said. Louden was touted as a favorite for the Waratahs’ position, to be vacated at the end of the Super 14 series next month by Ewen McKenzie, whose contract will not be renewed.
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