South Korea went within one win of sweeping the taekwondo competition yesterday at the East Asian Games, clinching five out of six gold medals on offer.
The South Koreans won in the women’s 55kg, the men’s 62kg, the men’s 67kg, the women’s 63kg and the men’s 72kg classes.
Taiwan’s Tseng Pei-hua won gold in the 59kg class when she beat South Korea’s Lee Sung-hye.
PHOTO: REUTERS
South Korea has now accounted for seven of the 10 judo gold medals contested after winning two finals on Sunday.
Elsewhere, South Korea also picked up a bowling gold, with Hwang Sun-ok and Shin Bo-hyun posting a one-two finish in the women’s singles.
China’s Zhu Qinan won the men’s 10m air rifle with a games-record 703.1 points.
Chinese women’s weightlifter Yang Lian claimed the 48kg division, lifting a combined weight of 202kg, 10kg more than runner-up Chen Wei-ling of Taiwan.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Jacques Rogge hailed “an absolutely smashing” opening to the games on Saturday.
Rogge said the opening ceremony, which took place on the waterfront of Victoria Harbour, was as good as any he had seen before.
“It was an absolutely smashing and brilliant opening, very nice choreography, very original, creative and probably the nicest backdrop you can ever dream of,” he said of the event. “I have seen many opening ceremonies in my long career with the Olympics. And this deserves a gold medal.”
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