■SOCCER
Kaka father denies Real deal
The father of Brazilian star Kaka on Saturday refuted claims from Real Madrid that they have signed an agreement with his son. Spanish newspaper Marca claimed earlier that Real presidential candidate Florentino Perez had reached an agreement with the former world player of the year to bring him to the Bernabeu, should he be re-elected. Marca claimed a deal had been reached for a 63 million euro (US$85 million) transfer with Kaka picking up 8 million euros a season net. But in a statement published on Milan’s Web site, Bosco Leite, who also acts as his son’s agent, rubbished the newspaper’s claims. “There is no agreement with Real Madrid and it’s not true to say that the player has already signed a deal with the Spanish club,” he said. “All information regarding the player is only credible and official if it comes from his legal representatives or from Milan. Any other information is baseless.”
■FIELD HOCKEY
South Korea win Asia Cup
Asian Games title holder South Korea defeated Pakistan 1-0 with a penalty corner by Kim Byung-hoon to win the 8th Asia Cup and claim an automatic World Cup berth. Kim scored when he sent a powerful drive into the net in the 66th minute. South Korea did not appear to be in the game and failed to create any opportunities in the first half. However, it was a different story in the second half. Meanwhile, China defeated Malaysia 7-6 on penalties in a game that ended 3-3 after extra time to claim the bronze medal.
■BOXING
Fragomeni retains title
Giacobbe Fragomeni retained his WBC cruiserweight title by earning a draw with Krzysztof Wlodarczyk in his first defense on Saturday. Judge Richard James Davies scored the bout 116-112 for Fragomeni, Robin Dolpierre had it 114-113 for Wlodarczyk, and Esa Lehtosaari scored it 114-114. The 39-year-old Fragomeni was able to avoid the Polish challenger’s long reach to get in close and throw combinations, before his foot speed took him away from danger. The Italian champion — who beat Rudolf Kraj to win the vacant title last October — finally began to land some powerful shots as he relaxed into his style, but it never appeared that Wlodarczyk would be stopped. The 2.06m Wlodarczyk, enjoying a 30cm in height advantage, hung around until Fragomeni began to tire in the later rounds. He put Fragomeni to the canvas in the 11th and thought he’d done it again, but referee Ian John-Lewis ruled the second time that Wlodarczyk had hit the champ while he was still down. Fragomeni (26-1-1) hasn’t lost in six fights since being stopped by former unified champion David Haye, who has since moved up to heavyweight. Wlodarczyk (41-2-1) hasn’t lost since dropping a majority decision in an IBF title fight to Steve Cunningham in May 2007.
■BOXING
Ward boosts title chances
Andre Ward remained unbeaten and stayed on course for a 168-pound (76kg) title shot this year with the biggest victory of his pro career, a unanimous decision over Colombia’s Edison Miranda on Saturday. Ward (19-0, 12 KOs), the 2004 US Olympic gold medalist, showed resilience in fighting 11 and a half rounds with a cut over his left eye caused by a butt from Miranda (32-4). Although Ward couldn’t land a knockout, he clearly demonstrated better skill and discipline while thriving in the late rounds. Fighting at Oracle Arena in his hometown of Oakland for the first time as a pro, Ward received a standing ovation afterward.
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
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was